Titus Lester, a 30-year-old Memphis man wanted in connection with an armed robbery and aggravated assault case, remains at large after a pursuit in Mississippi involving a stolen Mercedes, according to Action News 5. Panola County authorities said the incident prompted a search involving personnel from three counties.
Investigators say the trail led them south of the state line to Crowder, Mississippi, a small Panola County town, after information developed during the investigation pointed them there, according to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by Action News 5. Deputies located a black Mercedes parked behind a residence in town that was occupied by Lester. When they tried to make contact with him inside the vehicle, he took off.
A multi-county response
The sheriff’s office said Lester struck two vehicles while fleeing, disabling one. A Panola County Sheriff’s Office unit later found the Mercedes wrecked off Levee Road, south of Mississippi Highway 322.
But Lester himself was nowhere to be found. Panola County, Tallahatchie County and DeSoto County personnel converged on the area, setting up a perimeter and combing the surrounding countryside for him. Despite the coordinated effort, the search turned up empty, and Lester remains at large, as reported by Action News 5.
Armed and Dangerous, Authorities Warn
Authorities describe Lester as armed and dangerous and are asking the public for information about his whereabouts. He is wanted in connection with an armed robbery and aggravated assault in Memphis, according to the report.
Vehicle theft and multi-agency searches
For broader context, Action News 5, citing Council on Criminal Justice figures, reported that Memphis motor vehicle thefts were 36% higher in 2025 than in 2019; that citywide comparison does not establish a connection to this case. The FBI’s NIBRS-based report said the nationwide rate of motor vehicle theft incidents rose from 199.4 per 100,000 people in 2019 to 283.5 in 2023. The agency also noted that the population covered by participating NIBRS agencies increased by 79.7% over that period.
Multi-agency searches have also been reported in separate cases in the region. WREG reported on Aug. 13, 2025, that agencies searched for Ewel “Bubba” Scott in connection with thefts involving Panola and Tallahatchie counties; that case involved a different suspect and stolen property.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers of Panola County at 662-209-2011 or Panola County E-911 at 662-487-2430, as reported by Action News 5.
